Over 20 years of writing about my club in Barnet matchday programmes, which sold to about 500 souls on a good day, now with this Blog Site everyone can read my ramblings, memories, interviews, experiences, features, guides to away grounds and pure love of everything Barnet Football Club. Enjoy and digest and tell your friends.
Reckless - Potters Bar March 2014.
Oh Yes, thank you to"Al" without whom.......that is all

Lee
Sinnott is currently in charge at Moss Lane and has been since May
2011. Defender Lee had an 18 year long career from 1982 with notably
Bradford City, Huddersfield, Watford and Crystal Palace. He has had
previous managerial experience with Farsley Celtic, Port Vale and
Bradford Park Avenue.

Brief
Directions by Road

The
M1 and then M6 to its Junction 19. Take the A556 signposted
Manchester Airport. Pick up the M56 - still signposted Airport -
and exit at its Junction 6 taking the A538 signposted Altrincham and
Hale Barns. You will now be on Hale Road. Pass the Ringway Golf club
and after approx 2 miles at traffic lights that junctions with the
A5144 carry straight on taking the third right into Westminster Road.
This becomes Bancroft Road and then Moss Lane for the ground on your
right.

Car
Parking

Parking
is at a premium close to the ground although the recommendation from
the club is Aecom
on Moss Lane the former Riley Snooker Club. The club have use of the
parking facilities here and there is no charge. The car park will be
open on Saturdays from 10.30am and will be locked at 7pm.

Virgin
Trains from Euston to Manchester are incredibly quick these days,
just over two hours.

Altrincham
Metrolink tram station is served by trams from Manchester Piccadilly
and the journey time is around 30 minutes. The Arriva bus service 263
and Stagecoach X41 buses also run to the ground from Manchester. The
ground is around a 15-20 minute walk away from Altrincham station
simply walk to your left into Moss Lane and follow your nose to the
ground on your left.

Supporters
Coach

The
supporters coach will leave the Hive at 8.30am with earlier pick up
points at Potters Bar Station, Barnet (3 separate places), Whetstone
and Edgware starting at 7.30am. The price is £30.00 return.

Eating
and Drinking Locally

There
is a bar inside the ground called the Noel White Suite, which is
situated under the Main Stand. It welcomes away fans. Other than that
very little on offer close to Moss Road apart from the King George
about a 10 minute walk south of the ground. The Market Tavern in
Market Street close to the station seems to get most visitors vote
for good food and decent ales.

King George

Ground
Description

Their
home since 1920 Altys ground has hardly changed since Barnet were
frequent visitors throughout the 1980's. If segregation is in force
then our home for the afternoon will be the uncovered Hale End
Terrace which does offer a reasonable view from its top and has room
for over 1,400.

Hale End

The
main stand is very similar to the one at Macclesfield, short but with
a broad fascia. The design was popular in the North West non league
divisions as Leek Town have one just like it. The Dunne & Gray
Family stand sits next to it. Opposite is the Popular Side
a covered terrace that runs the full length of the pitch, made
unusual by having a section in the middle that has a higher roof
compared to either side, a mini East Terrace if you will!. At the
Golf Road End is a shallow covered terrace which is were the more
vocal of Alty's fans congregate.

It
has been an incredible 24 years since we last visited Moss Lane, and
that visit I want to forget as we were hammered 4-1 during the run in
to our Promotion win in March 1991. Altrincham were actually made
favourites to go up after that game which featured an on loan Paul
Culpin goal for the Bees. In fact I wish to forget most visits
especially a 7-0 thrashing in the APL Cup in 1980. Our only ever win
there was in May 1985 when a 2-0 victory was decorated by goals from
Steve Mahoney and oh yeah guess who? Yep - Nicky Evans!

Nicky Evans and Steve Mahoney

I
have a great story from 1981 when numerous supporters travelled to
the league game on the Players Coach (honest) but it is best left for
telling in the Hive Bar. However it featured these characters.............